The Impact of a Father

Men | by Jim Lewis

Fathers have a very unique way of making impacts in the lives of their children.  Dads often think that their kids need the fancy vacations to Disney World or the latest electronic gadget to come out before their lives are impacted.  There is nothing wrong with building meaningful memories by creating special life experiences.  However, kids often have a different outlook on what can make a meaningful impact on their lives.

The Men's Ministry recently had a Father/Child Lunch to celebrate Fatherhood.  It was a great event and close to a full house.  It was a blessing to see many of the dads bring their young children.  There is a special time during the event when kids are asked to come forward and share with everyone just 'what makes dad special in their eyes'.  The comments from the kids speak volumes:

'My dad is special because he helps me tie my shoes'

'My dad is special because he took me on a date today'

'My dad is special because he teaches me the Word of God'

'My dad is special because he was a great model of a Godly Man to me while I was growing up'.

There were many more comments, but the bottom line is that dads can impact the lives of their kids simply by living the model of manhood that Jesus gave us.  The Lakewood Men's Ministry is all about helping you become that man.  If you want to grow in Christ and get the tools needed to become the man, husband, and father God desires you to be, come out and join us in the upcoming Men's Ministry events:

MEN'S IMPACT BREAKFAST on Sat. August 21 at 8:00 a.m. right here at Lakewood

MEN'S ENCOUNTER on Sept. 10 & 11 at Kaiserhof Retreat Center

QUEST FOR AUTHENTIC MANHOOD and WINNING AT WORK AND HOME, both start on Sunday night Sept. 12 at 5:30 at Lakewood.

If you want to walk on water you must get out of the boat.  Hook up with the Men's Ministry and allow the Holy Spirit to IMPACT YOUR LIFE!!

Prayer for Men's Rally in the Valley

Men | by Jim Lewis

I would like to inform everyone that there is a mighty move of God on the horizon that will impact the lives of thousands of men, women, and children in the area surrounding Youngstown, Ohio.  That is my home town.  On Saturday May 8, 2010, there is a men's event that will be held called 'Men's Rally in the Valley'.  This God-ordained event will EQUIP and ENCOURAGE over 6,000 men to 'Walk the Walk' and become the man God desires them to be.

I am blessed to be able to be a part of this event and I will deliver the final presentation of the day.  I spoke at the final Leadership Team meeting on April 19 and it was an anointed night as the leaders emptied themselves of 'self' and got into position for the Lord to 'fill their cup' with His anointing and power.

I ask all who read this note to commit to pray for this event and also for the weeks and months following as God continues to impact the lives and transform the hearts of MEN and that they in turn will begin to REJECT PASSIVITY, ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, LEAD COURAGEOUSLY, and EXPECT THE GREATER REWARD:GOD;S REWARD!!

Please submit your commitment to pray in the comment section and also at www.mensrally.org in the blog section.  Thank you.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Men | by Jim Lewis

I was visiting with a brother from the Men's Ministry a few days ago and we were discussing his 'walk with the Lord' and some of the challenges he is facing at this time in his life.  Our conversation eventually led to the question 'What is your next step'?  We both agreed on the next step he should take in his journey towards Christlikeness.

On Sunday evening, March 21, a ceremony was held for 31 men who successfully completed the 24-week Quest for Authentic Manhood course offered within the Lakewood Men's Ministry.  It was a great night as many of the graduates brought their wives, children, and loved ones to the graduation.  These 31 men completed a Manhood Plan in which they developed a plan to follow that will impact not only their lives, but the lives of their wives and children.  It is a great 'next step' that the men now have the responsibility to implement in their lives.

I always tell the guys that 'every season you are in is in preparation for the season the Lord is going to take you to'.  When you break it down to the bottom line, all believers should have the same ultimate goal: TO BE LIKE CHRIST.  We are all given the same commission found in Matthew 28 to '...go and make disciples...'.  I realize that everyone is not at the same level of spiritual growth, but there are steps in place within the Men's Ministry to help you go to the next level on your journey towards Christlikeness.

We must consistently focus on remaining in the proper position that allows our greatest and most influential teacher, the Holy Spirit, to reveal to you what the 'next step' for you would be that will keep you on God's perfect plan for your life.  We must do our part to remain focused and that includes applying the spiritual disciplines of Prayer, Meditation, Sumbission, Worship, Bible Study, Fasting, and Solitude to our lives.  We are responsible to do this and no one can do it for you.  When you are in position and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you, life becomes exciting, rewarding, and fruitful as you are making an IMPACT for God's Kingdom.

No Man Left Behind

Men | by Jim Lewis

I was watching a television show about wild animals in Africa and how the lions target their prey. They surround a herd of animals and then they attack, causing the herd to take off running. The lions don't try to take down the entire herd. They are only interested in getting the slowest of the animals, the ones that are 'left behind.'

I believe that is a strategy of the enemy today in the war that is being waged against men in our society today. The enemy will attempt to pick off a man who is isolated from other men. He might be a 'loner' and chooses to be by himself, or he can even be 'lost and alone' when he is in a group of men. The battle cry of the Men's Ministry at Lakewood Church is 'No Man Left Behind!!!'  Our goal is to do everything possible that no man is isolated who chooses not to be.

There are many avenues within the Men's Ministry for a man to 'join the herd' and not be isolated: The Men's Rally, The War Room, Men's Encounter, Huddle Groups, and Quest for Authentic Manhood. When a man gets hooked up with other brothers in any of these ministries, he becomes part of the herd and is not isolated. He is able to build spiritual muscles and walk in the authority God has given all believers to attain a life of victory over the enemy.

I am blessed to have a 'Band of Brothers' around me from the Men's Ministry Leadership Team. I know that I have brothers to whom I am accountable and brothers who will protect me.

If you feel alone and isolated, take the step and become part of the herd of powerful men at Lakewood Church. Remember: No Man Left Behind!!!

Are You in the Right Position?

Men | by Jim Lewis

A football team is really a collection of 3 sub-teams: offensive team, defensive team, and specialty team. Within each of those teams are many positions that must function effectively if that team is to be successful.  For example, it wouldn't do much good to have the defensive tackle line up as a wide receiver on the offensive team!  That would be very inneffective. For the TEAM to be successful, every position must function at its highest capacity. Only then will the TEAM achieve victory.

I heard a statement a few years ago: 'It doesn't matter how good you do what you do, if what you do is not what you should do.' As men, God has blessed each and every one of us with His gifts to function in the position He has ordained for us. We get out of 'position' when we turn our eyes away from God and try to function in a position we were not made to function in. When we are out of position, our life can become very chaotic and we will not hit the target God has for us to hit.

The weekend of February 26 and 27 can be a life-impacting time for 100 men as they attend the Men's Encounter.  There is one main position that all the men must be in to get the max out of the Encounter. That position was described by John the Baptist in John 3:30: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.' When we are empty of ourselves, then God can fill our cups with His LOVE, JOY, and PEACE.

Please pray for all men who are participating in the Men's Encounter!